18 Credit Cards in One Year?! My Points & Miles Strategy REVEALED!
Hey friends, Philip here with Points of Phillip! Buckle up, because I'm about to give you a serious year-in-review. So far this year, I've opened 18 credit cards!
I know, I know... it sounds crazy. But there's a method to the madness! I'm going to walk you through each card, explain why I got it, and give you the inside scoop on my points and miles strategy.
1. Ritz-Carlton Card (Formerly Marriott Bonvoy Boundless)
Why? I got the Boundless card years ago for the 5 free night signup bonus. Used those nights in Paris and Orlando! This year, I upgraded to the Ritz-Carlton for Gold Elite status and a free night award.
Bonus Perks: Used the free roadside assistance within 2 days of getting the card! (4 visits a year!), $300 travel credit, unlimited guests at Sapphire Lounges!
2. Citi Strata Premier (Product Change)
Why? Citi doesn't love my high velocity, so a product change was the only way! Upgraded one of my Custom Cash cards.
Why It's Great: 3x points on hotels, airfare, gas, groceries, and dining! A great one-stop shop, especially now that Citi has American Airlines as a transfer partner. ($95 annual fee)
3. Amex Platinum
Why? 125,000 point upgrade offer from my Gold card! You bet I'll take those Amex points! ($695 annual fee)
4. Amex Business Platinum
Why? Targeted mailer offer: 250,000 points after spending $20,000 in 3 months. Nailed that spend the day I got the card! Spent on tax payments.
5. Bilt Mastercard
Why? Earning points on my mortgage payments! I don't pay directly with the card but it allows me to earn on every dollar I pay to my mortgage! Plus, 3x points on pool guy, power bill, home insurance, car insurance = 5-6,000 points extra per month!
6. Amex Business Gold
Why? 150,000 point signup bonus after spending $15,000 in 3 months. Used for gas and online spend! Planned a Europe trip and put the spend on there!
7. Amtrak Preferred Card
Why? 40,000 Amtrak point signup bonus. Aspirational goal: A cross-continental train trip in a sleeper car!
8. Discover It Miles
Why? 1.5x per dollar on everything, doubled in the first year (3%!). 0% APR for a period. Put the rest of our fence on it!
9. U.S. Bank Business Cash Card
Why? 0% APR, 2% cashback, and a $250 signup bonus. Put the rest of the fence on this, too!
10. Chase Sapphire Preferred
Why? 100,000 point offer last spring! Used points for a Hyatt Regency stay in Washington D.C., and more for a castle in Scotland!
11. One Key Card (Wells Fargo)
Why? $300 in One Key Cash! Used it to subsidize a family beach trip.
12. Gemini Credit Card
Why? $200 signup bonus after spending $3,000 in 3 months. Earns crypto. 4% cashback on gas purchases. Pretty card, nice app, but haven't used it much since the bonus.
13. American Airlines Platinum Select (Citi)
Why? Targeted mailer offer: 80,000 points! Currently sitting on 95,000 American Airlines points from this card.
14. Amex Business Gold Delta
Why? 60,000 point signup bonus and waived annual fee the first year! $150 annual fee after that, so I'll probably cancel.
15. Hilton Honors Card
Why? 100,000 signup bonus for $2,000 spend and a $100 statement credit.
16. Amex Gold (Formerly Green)
Why? I got a signup bonus. I think it was 30,000 points?
17. Robinhood Gold Card
Why? Got off the waitlist! No numbers on the card, 3% cashback everywhere, Visa Signature. Haven't used it much.
18. Fidelity Rewards Visa
Why? 2% cashback on everything, automatically redeemed into my brokerage account! No foreign transaction fees! Backup travel card and solid for rental cars.
The Strategy:
As you can see, most of these cards were acquired for the signup bonuses! The goal is to maximize points and miles for travel and other rewards.
What's Next?
I'm considering opening a few more Citi and Bank of America cards but I'm going to have to slow my roll a little bit.
Final Thoughts:
Opening 18 credit cards in a year might seem extreme, but with careful planning and responsible spending, it can be a great way to boost your rewards.
Thanks so much for tuning in! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions, and tell me: What's the craziest credit card strategy you've ever heard of?